SeaBRnet 16th Meeting Shapes Roadmap for Southeast Asia Biosphere Reserves
Summary
The 16th Meeting of the Southeast Asian Biosphere Reserves Network (SeaBRnet) convened 130 participants in Siem Reap, Cambodia from April 7–9, 2026, to translate the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan (2026–2035) into site-level action. Discussions covered ecosystem restoration, governance, sustainable livelihoods, and monitoring systems, with national reports from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Timor-Leste presenting progress. A field visit to the Prek Toal Core Area of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve showcased conservation practices and women-led enterprises converting invasive water hyacinth into handicrafts.
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The document summarizes the outcomes of the 16th SeaBRnet meeting, which focused on translating the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan into practical steps at site levels across Southeast Asian biosphere reserves. Participants from seven countries exchanged approaches on ecosystem restoration, governance, sustainable livelihoods, and monitoring systems. National reports highlighted progress including Indonesia's eco-labelling initiatives, Malaysia and Philippines' youth engagement, Thailand's biodiversity e-books and community fire monitoring, and Timor-Leste's proposed first biosphere reserve.\n\nFor biosphere reserve managers, government environmental agencies, and conservation organizations, this meeting signals continued regional commitment to implementing global biodiversity and climate strategies at local levels. The Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve in Cambodia served as a demonstration site, showcasing integrated approaches to climate mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and community livelihoods. Organizations involved in Southeast Asian environmental work may wish to monitor SeaBRnet outputs and consider engagement with the network.
Meeting
- Date
- 2026-04-07
- Location
- Siem Reap, Cambodia
Archived snapshot
Apr 27, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
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From the Hangzhou Strategy to Regional Action: SeaBRnet Members Shape a New Roadmap for Southeast Asia’s Biosphere Reserves
Southeast Asia is stepping up efforts to turn global commitments on biosphere reserves into practical action.
UNESCO 27 April 2026 Southeast Asia is stepping up efforts to turn global commitments on biosphere reserves into practical action, as the 16 th Meeting of the Southeast Asian Biosphere Reserves Network (SeaBRnet) focused on how to translate the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan (2026–2035) into action at regional and site levels.
Held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, from 7 to 9 April 2026, the meeting brought together 130 participants, including biosphere reserve managers, government representatives, researchers, partners and youth. Hosted by the Ministry of Environment of Cambodia and facilitated by the UNESCO Regional Office in Jakarta as the SeaBRnet Secretariat, the meeting was supported by the Government of Japan.
The opening ceremony was welcomed and opened by H.E. Mr Chea Sam Ang, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Environment of Cambodia, Mr Atsushi Yonezawa, Director of the Consular Office of Japan in Siem Reap.
Siem Reap serves as a vital gateway to the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve in Cambodia. This biosphere reserve is not only recognised as the most extensive freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, but also as a living example of integrating climate change mitigation with biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
Mr Atsushi Yonezawa Director of the Consular Office of Japan in Siem Reap
UNESCO
Turning regional priorities into action on the ground
Discussions focused on how to translate shared priorities into concrete steps at the site level. Participants exchanged approaches on ecosystem restoration, governance, sustainable livelihoods and advanced monitoring systems, drawing insights from regional surveys and experiences across biosphere reserves. These efforts aim to address persistent regional challenges, such as deforestation, climate-related impacts, and socio-institutional constraints, including weak coordination and pollution.
National reports showed how these regional priorities are already taking shape on the ground. Indonesia highlighted progress on government regulations and eco-labelling initiatives, while Malaysia and the Philippines shared updates on management planning and youth engagement. Thailand presented practical management tools like biodiversity e-books and community-based fire monitoring, and Timor-Leste marked a historic milestone by presenting its proposed first biosphere reserve, Nino Konis Santana. Japan also shared technical experience on governance, contributing to knowledge exchange across the network.
A dedicated session on Cambodia provided an in-depth look at the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, addressing governance, ecosystem management and community livelihoods, alongside key issues such as flood forest restoration and water management in the lower Mekong.
More than 350 stakeholders from at least seven Southeast Asian countries have engaged in SeaBRnet activities over the past year. This reflects strong regional commitment which now needs to be sustained through continued collaboration and action
Mr Engin Koncagul SeaBRnet Secretary The meeting was concluded with a field visit to the Prek Toal Core Area of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, where participants observed conservation practices for fisheries production and key breeding grounds for the endangered water birds. One of the highlights was a women-led enterprise that transforms invasive water hyacinth into handicrafts, demonstrating a successful model where ecosystem management directly supports community livelihoods.
The meeting demonstrated SeaBRnet’s role in strengthening regional cooperation, supporting Member States in translating global strategies into practical, site-level action across biosphere reserves in Southeast Asia.
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Related items
- Natural sciences
- Foster Science ＆ Innovation for Humanity
- Biosphere reserves
- Country page: Indonesia
- Country page: Malaysia
- Country page: Timor-Leste
- Country page: Philippines
- Country page: Thailand
- Country page: Cambodia
- Region: Asia and the Pacific
- UNESCO Office in Jakarta and Regional Bureau for Science
- Partners: Government of Japan
- SDG: SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
- SDG: SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
- SDG: SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
- See more add This article is related to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
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